University hosts tribute ceremony to Qatar

The senior diplomat for Qatar’s embassy in Washington, D.C., Hamad Al-Dosari, visited Loyola University New Orleans Wednesday to meet with students who received scholarships from the $100 million Qatar Katrina Fund.

Al-Dosari is a representative of the Qatar Katrina Fund, established in 2005 to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Gifts were committed to healthcare, education and housing. Loyola University received a $1.4 million gift intended for scholarships for students affected by the storm.

“I am very pleased to know that Qatar’s gift has helped many deserving Loyola students continue their education. At the embassy, we have received many letters of thanks from these Qatar scholars who have offered their reflections on Katrina,” said Al-Dosari. “We are humbled by the personal stories these students have shared and profoundly impressed by the courage and determination of all of you who have returned to rebuild your community after this storm. The people of Qatar are proud to be your partners in this important project and we hope that all Loyola students will know that they have friends in Qatar.”

The university community attended a ceremony in Monroe Library that will pay tribute to the people of Qatar for their gift. Al-Dosari accepted a medal from President Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D., marking induction to the University Founders of the Society of St. Ignatius, a giving society reserved for donors who contribute $1 million or more to Loyola University. Rachel Funel, a mass communication major and a scholarship recipient, will also speak on behalf of students who have received assistance.

Wildes noted, “We are very grateful to the people of Qatar and the Emir for their concern, support and generosity. Through their support, a number of our students whose lives were devastated by Katrina, were able to continue their education. We are profoundly grateful to them.”

Since Loyola started receiving these scholarship funds in 2007, 169 Loyola students impacted by Hurricane Katrina have been awarded scholarships. Of that figure, 71 are current students. The university will award the final installment of scholarships from the fund to students this summer.

The Qatar Katrina Fund also made scholarship gifts to Louisiana State University, Tulane University and Xavier University.

For more information, contact Meredith Hartley, director of Loyola’s Office of Public Affairs, at mhartley@loyno.edu or 504-861-5883.

LoyNews is an e-newswire produced by the Loyola University New Orleans Office of Public Affairs. LoyNews is distributed weekly to local, regional and national news media outlets, communicating the latest news and accomplishments of the university and its community.